The Oyo State government has been urged to postpone the process of choosing a new Alaafin of Oyo by the Atiba royal family in Oyo town.
The families claimed that despite being their turn to produce the new Alaafin, they had been unfairly left out of the race for the throne.
Prince Ademola Afolabi of the Adeitan Royal Family, one of the aggrieved royal families’ heads, reportedly told journalists in Oyo on Monday that the selection process should be suspended pending the outcome of the legal challenges to the procedure that have been filed.
They said that because the procedure had broken the rule of law, the candidates who had already been shortlisted for the crown would not run.
The families said they had been unjustly excluded from the race to ascend the throne despite that it should be their turn.
They argued that it was wrong for the state government to sideline other families and pick the Agunloye Ruling House which is one of the two ruling houses that have been ascending the throne to nominate the next Alaafin.
They said the state government was not following the right path in the selection process and whatever conclusion was reached would not stand.
He said, “Out of 11 families, two are benefitting from the stool, and nine others have been sidelined.
“We have appealed to the government to discontinue the process of selection of the new Alaafin.
“We also appeal to the state government to allow the processes in court to be concluded before choosing or continuing with the process of selecting the new Alaafin. For these reasons we seek for the discontinuation of the processes.”
“This is meant to bring to the notice of the government that there are matters in court and we seek discontinuation of the process of selecting the new Alaafin if the government is indeed following the rule of law in the process.
“We want fairness, equity, and justice in the selection of the new Alaafin.
The constitution empowers people to challenge chieftaincy selection and that is why it is being challenged. Why were our families excluded in the process?”
Other princes at the briefing were: Prince Makanjuola Adediran of the Adediran Ese Apata Royal Family; Prince Remi Azeez of the Tella Okitipapa Royal Family; Prince Adediwura Lamola from Olanite Royal Family; Prince Agboyin Olayiwola of the Adelabu Royal Family; Prince Adebowale Adesiyan of the Adesiyan Royal Family; Prince Adetunji Adesokan of Baba Idode Royal Family; Prince Adekunle Bello of Iteade Abidekun Omo Atiba Family; Prince Tella Agbojulogun, who was away in Lagos.